Our ScrapOver templates are a hit because they are simple to use and help you get so much done in little time!  Here’s a quick breakdown of the steps to use them with Photoshop Elements. Most other image editors that are compatible with PNG formats would follow similar steps.  Our sample is using the versatile Natural Beauty 8x8 ScrapOver Album, which includes eight designer-pieced 8x8 templates, word art and extra elements.

See our selection of Downloadable ScrapOver Templates here

What you’ll need:

•  Adobe Photoshop Elements® (version 6 used in tutorial)

• ScrapOver template of choice

• Photo(s) in digital format

You’ll learn how to make:

•  Finished layout ready to print, e-mail, or post to on-line gallery

Open Photoshop Elements

Open a Simply ScrapOver template within Photoshop Elements:

Choose File>Open and browse your system for the template you want to open. We chose NB ScrapOver 1.png from our Natural Beauty Album.

Click Open. 

Notice the transparent openings for your photo, which is what makes ScrapOver templates so easy to use!

Open  Photo(s)

Choose File>Open and browse your system for the photo you want to open. Click OK to open.

Tip: To open more than one photo in the same folder, simply hold the Ctrl (Option: Mac) key and click multiple images, as I did.

Drag  Photo(s) onto Template

As shown in the Project/Photo Bin at right (lower left of your screen), there are 3 images, plus the template open.

Double click on one of the photos to make it the active file (will show in main window of screen). Make sure the Move Tool is active (Type V or click on it).

Click image and drag it downward onto the thumbnail image of the template in Project/Photo Bin to place it on template. Repeat for other images.

Resize and Reposition Photo(s)

With the Move Tool selected, drag the corner pulls of the photo by dragging inward to size to photo opening in template (dragging outward decreases quality of image, so use carefully).  Also, rotate if needed.

If desired, rename this layer (named Layer 1 or Raster 1) to 'Photo 1' to help distinguish it.  To Rename, right click on it in the layer palette, select Rename, and give it the name of your choice.

Enhance your photo as needed such as brightening or adjusting the hue/saturation.

Repeat for all photos.

Move Photo(s) beneath Template

In the Layer Palette at lower right of screen, select this photo (the layer named Layer 1 or Photo 1).

Click on the thumbnail image and drag downward in the layer palette, so it is now below the template.

Voila!  The photo is now perfectly sized and has an awesome realistic shadow around it.

Repeat steps if there are openings for more photos.

Add Title Art & Elements (optional)

Many of our ScrapOver and Quick Page Album Kits have additional title art and elements for you to make the page even more your own. This kit in particular has many different vacation words, staples, and button. As with opening multiple photos, hold the Ctrl key (Mac: Option) while clicking on multiple files.

Add these to the page as you added photos. Position and size as desired. You can even change the color (Enhance>Adjust Color>Adjust Hue and Saturation).

In the sample shown, a staple, 2 pieces of title art, and 3 buttons were added (two were re-colored with technique above).

Add Text

To add journaling, click the Horizontal Type Tool tool on the tool bar and choose font and settings from Tool Options menu across the top of screen. Be sure you are on a layer above the photo and template layers in the Layer Palette.

Place cursor in position on layout where you want title to appear.

Type journaling, adjust position and size, if necessary.

Add additional text in different fonts and colors, if desired.

Add Drop Shadows (optional)

If desired, add drop shadow to title art or elements, for added dimension, like on the Beauty title art.

In Effects Palette (defaults to top right of screen) select Drop Shadows. With the layer of the text highlighted as the active layer, click on the shadow of your choice. Usually Low works well.

To customize this shadow, click on the fx on that layer in the Layer Palette to bring up the Style Settings dialog. A nice small, realistic shadow is Size: 4, Distance: 4, Opacity 40. However, you can set to your preference.
 

Save and Print Layout

You’re done!  Save as a .psd format file to retain layers (choose File>Save As>PSD) and high quality jpg for printing. Print at any square size on photo paper using the highest quality setting. This set is 8x8, but some of our templates are 12x12. If you do not have a wide format printer and want to print at 12x12, check out our printing article to learn about other options.

Save as .jpg format to share on the Internet (resize to 72 dpi for this option).  Good luck enjoying the ease and versatility of digital!

Happy creating!

Michelle Shefveland and Team